A/N: this is the first time I've ever had the courage to post a FF. It's a bit of a slow burn, but hopefully some of you will stick with it long enough to enjoy! :] update: I fixed up some of the grammatical errors.

i-Kick Your Door Down

A brand new Fiat Panda painted in a garishly bright red creeped down the suburban Street. A radios volume turned down to a whisper as if the action would help the Hazel eyes of the driver to locate the address any better. The melody of Pearl jam's 'Daughter' barely recognizable as she finds what she's looking for an unassuming brick house nestled among a throng of other little brick houses. This was exactly the house she pictured her prickly cousin to live in. perfectly normal. Perfectly manicured. Not a single blade of grass or a Pansy in the garden out of place

Her stomach was in knots as the radio played her mind wandering back to memories lost in a dingy corner of her mind. it made her second guess her decision to drop by after all.

A young woman with chestnut hair and a long angular face too severe for her age waspishly sneered at the eleven year old girl. "Oh, not you too! Well now we'll have to ban you from the wedding! instead of throwing flowers from a basket you'll have them appear from out of thin air! what will the in-laws think then?! You are no better than Lily and that awful boy from the next row over. A right lot of freaks all of you! "

It wasn't her fault an owl dropped a letter into her hands. She never experienced any event to let one assume she was gifted in any way. No one in her family had reacted the way she expected to begin with when she found out she would be going to school with Lily that fall. She was indeed banned from the wedding that May.

"….She holds the hand that holds her down, She will rise above …'

what the hell was she doing here? The panda's keys were out of the ignition and in her hands as though on their own accord her legs carried her up the cobblestone walk Q an extremely boring ordinary door and although a voice in her head screamed run girl run an equally stronger force led her hand to the dull brass knocker of #4 privet drive.

What the ever loving hell is wrong with me? She mused. I haven't spoken to anyone in nearly 13 years and here I am expecting… I don't know what I'm expecting. I can't believe I'm being so stupid. She turned to leave but was interrupted by the unexpected sound of the door cracking open. A shock of black wild hair and Lilly's large green eyes stared back at her in confusion. A small face with big smudges of dirt peered from the cracked door.

She must have gasped out loud and the boy asked her if she was alright.

Harry had been wary of strangers in the last few weeks. Especially since his encounter with Lucius Malfoy at the end of term. However, Aunt Petunia's bellowed order to answer the door and send any solicitors away gave him little choice but to see who was there. He saw a young woman in muggle clothing looking rather troubled Harry being Harry wanted to make sure she was OK. Perhaps she was having car troubles.

"Hullo ma'am. May I help you?" He asked politely

The young woman did not reply right away. Her face paled. She looked like she had seen a ghost.

"Are you alright? You're not ill, are you?" She continued to stare wordlessly. He's gut clenched at this point, his mind racing with worst case scenario. Maybe she was dangerous. Maybe she was sent by the Malfoys. Maybe they found out where he lived. Would they send a seemingly innocent looking patsy to exact revenge on the teen for his meddling last year? After all Harry did free the Malfoys ill-treated house elf, Dobby. He made an instinctive move to grasp his wand only to remember it was locked away with the rest of his belongings in the cupboard under the stairs.

She finally broke her gaze. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to stare my name is Rosalie Novak." her salutation hadn't even left her lips as Harry was none too gently shoved out of the doorway and petunia Dursley appeared in the now wide-open door. "What are you doing here?! How did you find our address? "

Oh, thought Harry, Aunt petunia knows this woman although she didn't look pleased by the impromptu visit. Her lips were drawn tight. She looked like she had just smelled spoiled milk as she waited for an answer from the stranger.

Rosalie, as she had introduced, smoothed over her features her face was serene. However, hurt and something else flashed momentarily in her Hazel eyes like she expected petunia's malice from the beginning.

The air was thick with tension end Harry became uncomfortable at seeing his aunt look so abhorrently at another person besides himself. He wanted to disappear perhaps sink through the floorboards.

I've moved back home. I thought it would be nice to see the only family I have left and maybe considering there aren't many of us anymore I thought you and your darling husband would have been more hospitable towards me." Her words were practiced and precise. "And I've missed England, Tuney."

At this, Harry's ears perked up his eyes were wide as he went to speak but was interrupted by his aunt once again. "Get inside boy! Finish your chores and stop gawking about!" Petunia growled dangerously. Harry had made to retreat into the house. He would have liked to eat tonight and staying out of his aunt and uncle's wrath was the best for it.

"You are Harry, aren't you?" the question sounded wistful and hope flicked the edges of the words. He turned around not answering at first, looking to her Hazel eyes for any sign of familiarity. Had they met before? Aunt Petunia did not parade him around like Dudley. He was never introduced to anyone of importance to the Dursleys.

Stay in your cupboard. do not make a sound. I don't want to know you are even breathing. Uncle Vernon's voice rang through Harry's ears.

He felt himself being pushed back roughly as Petunia's talon like grasp gripped his arm. Her nails digging halfmoons into his flesh.

"Get out of here! We have enough trouble keeping the boy's issues under control without you mucking it up! Did dumbleknock- dimble bimble or whatever send you here? To spy on us? To terrorize us all? Never mind! Get out get out ! Get off the steps!"

Petunia slammed the door and turned her back to it like a human shield against the woman outside. Her breath came ragged and her face red. Harry stared after her for a moment. No one moved.

Especially the woman on the other side of the door.

"Petunia Evans! I will camp on your stoop until you open this door and allow me a conversation with the boy! I will turn your garden blue, I will let steam shoot from my ears, I will have your flowers dancing to show tunes, unless you open this door! You'll be the talk of this very, very Muggle town!"

Rosalie did not yell these words, but they rang unnaturally clear in the other woman's ears even through the thick wooden door. Petunia looked ashen. Oh God, this was no hollow threat! Petunia had to let her in the house or suffer the rumor mill of Privet Drive set ablaze! Vernon would be furious at the very thought of two of those people sitting under his roof. She had no choice though.

She set a sharp look on Harry "do not say a word. No more then you have too." She smoothed out her face, her hair and her skirt, stepped back from the door turned sharply around and opened it with a click. Every one of her movements was pregnant with exaggerated passive aggressiveness. "Do come in Rosie. I'll put the kettle on." Ice hung on the edges of every word as she ushered the other woman hurriedly through the door.

Harry stood quietly by the fireplace. He had long forgotten his task of cleaning the ash and soot off from the white painted brick facade. As Rosalie moved into the sitting room he was able to finally take hey good luck at the woman who's scared his aunt into inviting her in to the carefully cultivated home. He thought about her threat to make flowers dance. Could she be like him? Could she be a witch? She looked so muggle and where was her wand?

He noticed the woman was short. Harry was small for his age. Yet she was a grown adult and he could practically see eye to eye with her at nearly 13. She had long mahogany hair pulled into a low ponytail with wispy fringe bangs that framed a heart shaped face. Her large Hazel eyes and buttonlike nose reminded him of a cartoon character from one of Dudley's Telly programs. Her outfit was decidedly muggle attire. Worn but clean Chuck Taylor trainers we're covered by wide legged denim trousers. She wore an open Plaid button-down shirt over a faded black crew neck tee shirt advertising something called a 'Soundgarden.' What was a Soundgarden? Slung over one shoulder was a threadbare green canvas rucksack that may have been held together by magic or sheer will. As she moved her head to take in the ugly floral wallpaper and collection of 10,000 lace doilies scattered around the room, he could see a single tiny stone glittering back and forth in the sunlight on the right side of her nose. Aunt petunia would say she looks like riffraff walking down the street. Astonishingly normal.

Harry decided he must not look much better than riff raff himself. He stood covered in soot on a drop cloth in his cast-off shirt two sizes too big, holey trousers, and a pair of trainers you would not even give to goodwill. He noticed her eyes were now steadily trained on him and he suddenly felt very subconscious.

"I am Harry. You know my Aunt and my mother?" His voice sounded small and childlike in his own ears. He was nervous. No one ever talked about his mom openly.

"And I am Rosalie, but please, call me Rose. I'm your cousin. It's nice to meet you …finally." The last word said with spite as a glare was sent towards the kitchen where petunia banged around the kettle and busied herself with whatever she could, any excuse not to be in her company's presence.

"I grew up with your mother and aunt. Lily was one of my very best friends. We were as close as sisters until my parents had us move to the states." She looked like she was about to cry. "I can't believe you're here. We thought you were dead! We were told you were dead. Imagine my surprise to see you open the door. Oh wait! I have your baby picture with me! "

She dug deep into her rucksack her arms and head disappearing into the depths. the bag must be charmed thought Harry

"Are you like me? Magic? A Witch?" the words were spoken in barely a whisper. His tongue felt foreign in his mouth. These words were never allowed to be spoken in this house. You might as well be summoning Beelzebub.

Rosalie reemerged with a large purple pocketbook full of official looking papers and handed him an old, well-loved Muggle photograph. Two sets of bright emerald eyes stared back at him smiles wide on both faces the chubby cheeks of the babe pulled up in mirth. Red fiery hair pooled around both like a tent. He turned the photo over in his hands. On the back in smooth loopy handwriting stated,

'Lily and Harry. Harry's 1st birthday July 31st, 1981 - come home and see us. I miss you, pip'

This was a picture of Harry's first birthday. this was a picture of his mother and on the back an invitation for this stranger in the living room to come see them. Harry felt his heart could burst. a link to his mom was standing in front of him. A real family member.

"I am a witch." Rosalie stated "Hence Petunia's repugnance. She always was a jealous twit". The last bit was a venomous whisper, more to herself than anything. Harry's lips upturned slightly at the insult. No one dared speak of Petunia Dursley in such a way.

Speak of the devil …

Petunia clattered into the sitting room with a tea service, unable to avoid the others any longer. Her lips were still set like she tasted something bitter. She shoved a cup and a saucer in Rosalie's hand and poured herself self a cup of tea.

'So, dear Rosalie, what brings you back to Britain? I never thought you would be one to return home seeing how much you enjoyed yourself across the pond' Petunia placed four sugar cubes into her teacup and stirred as though her life depended on it. Nothing was offered to the teen.

"Boy you had better finish your scrubbing before Vernon gets home."

Rosalie placed her cup and saucer back onto the tray like it may very well have been poisoned. She was uncomfortable with the tone Petunia used with Harry.

"I have just accepted a position on the new ward in St Philomena's hospital for women and children in north England. "Her face gave away no hint of emotion, but her chin was held out in defiance.

"As an orderly?" Petunia looks snide as she pretended to sip her tea.

"As a physician." Petunia bulked. "I am a pediatrician and I was selected to set help set up the new ward."

"And do you treat children of your… persuasion? Distaste evident in the question, unnerved with the subject of anything abnormal.

"I treat children both Muggle and Magic. I have dual certification as a medi-witch as well."

"well, you always were an over achiever." Petunia took a real sip of her tea. You could cut the air with a knife in the room. "You and my sister were so… alike."

Rosalie sighed "Petunia, I never asked to be a witch, and neither did Lily. I'm sorry you never got to go to Hogwarts, But I do think it's time for all of us to grow - " She was cut off.

Petunia abruptly stood slammed her cup onto the tray and picked it up to clear the area while glaring daggers at Rosalie.

"You've had your conversation. It's time for you to go. I have nothing else to say to you and I don't want to hear anymore of your prattling. You know nothing of me, or my life after that night. Please leave before I do something we both regret!"

"Why did you lie? Why did you write that letter to my parents telling us all the Potters were dead? You told us not to believe any of the papers or the books. You told us you didn't even know where they were buried so we wouldn't go looking. "

Petunia's face twisted with emotion that had no name. She remained silent

"What have you gained from keeping Harry from his family? This can't still be about the magic."

"Duty." Petunia resigned "We didn't want him. We didn't ask for him. Dingledong or whatever his name is, just dropped him off at the doorstep with the letter. That is how I found out my sister was dead, you know? Through a damned missive. that marmy old goat said some bibbidibobbidiBoo about magic protection for the boy, and for us, as long as he lived here. Something about Lily's death keeping him safe while he was here in the house. We tried to give the boy back, so to make it worth our while Vernon I receive a monthly stipend. It was the only way my husband would let him stay instead of taking him to the nearest care house. But I did not send a letter to your father about any of this. We didn't even know what part of the country he had shuttled you off too after Beatrix left him." She was shaking as she spoke.

"You only keep me here because Dumbledore is paying you too." Harry whimpered from the corner. They had Been bribed for 12 years and still treat me like he didn't matter. Like it was a privilege to stay locked in a cupboard, not fed properly and treated like a house elf. Hurt was evident in his speech.

Petunia had forgotten the boy was even there.

"You must stay here. None of us have a choice. That doesn't mean that any of us like it."

Her sneer of resentment towards the boy broke Rosalie's heart. Silence took over the room. she opened her mouth to say something but then a car was heard pulling into the front drive. Thick heavy steps sounded on the cobbled walk, then some humming, finally keys in the door's lock. Vernon was home from work.

Petunia looked green. The tea service in her hands clattered back down to the coffee table. She snatched Rosalie's arm and forced her into the kitchen and out the back door to the garden. "Leave out through the alley." She hissed through her teeth." DO NOT COME BACK HERE EVER AGAIN. You are decidedly. Not. Welcome. "And hastily retreated back into the house leaving Rosalie standing stunned in the middle of the green space. A screechy "Hello Darling! How was the office today?' was the last thing she heard as the back door slammed. There had been an awful lot of slammed doors today.

She was making her way to the back alley when a soft hoot floated down from a nearby oak tree. Her eyes locked with great amber orbs of a snowy white owl. "Well, you're no common barn owl, are you?' she mused. And idea struck suddenly. She ducked back into her rucksack returning with a piece of scrap paper and a chewed BIC pen. Rosalie quickly scrawled out her message and beckoned the bird down.

"Would you do me a favor, please?" waving the rolled-up note in her hand. The great bird looked at her in consideration before gliding down to perch on a rubbish bin. "There's a boy who lives in this house. Perhaps you know him? Will you see that he gets this message? Please? It's important." She tied the note around the owl's outstretched leg with an old bread tie she had laying around in her bag. The bird thrilled in acceptance and allowed her to stroke it's fluffy white down for a moment before turning back up the alley for her car. I would be a loooong drive back up north.

She had no idea just how well the owl knew the boy. The creature kept watch as the brunette opened the Panda's driver door. She had a kind touch. Better get this message to Harry then.

With Rosalie pushed out the back door like yesterday's rubbish, Harry quickly made a show of scrubbing the hearth. No need to incur Uncle Vernon's wrath as soon as he walked in the door. Luck would have it, the great walrus of a man seemed to be in a pleasant mood. He hummed as he walked into the sitting area.

"Hello, Darling! How was the office today?" Aunt Petunia had come back in from the kitchen. Her tone a sugary exaggeration. Harry ducked into the fireplace and scrubbed harder amazed at how Petunia's demeanor flipped like a switch.

"Oh, wonderful day, my Pet! I was able to bring the new car home today. Have a look, just out there. Freshly washed and waxed!" he beamed. A shiny new Ford Mondeo graced the car park. No wonder he was grinning like a Chesshire cat.

"It's from Detroit, and import! Number one seller for executives this year, that is!" Vernon was impressed with himself.

"Oh! It's wonderful, Pumkin'!" Petunia patted his chest with her hand. "I knew you would be rewarded after that deal you signed last month! Let us celebrate tonight. I'll fetch Dudlekins from upstairs and we can have supper at the new Italian place in town. What do you say?" Vernon grinned through his moustache.

"Boy! You'll finish scrubbing while we are out. There is a can of soup in the kitchen for your supper." she padded up the stairs to pry her zombie of a son from the telly screen.

Vernon made to grab Rosalie's abandoned teacup from the table. He scowled at Harry. "And don't you go burning the house down while we are gone! You will finish your task, have your supper and go right up to bed! So help me, boy, if so much as one item is out of place when we get back, I will have no problem shoving that damned ruddy bird of yours in the cupboard for the rest of the summer! " He sipped the tea and looked away. "-Tunia, this tea is cold, pet..."

Harry, being used to the threats regarding everything he cherished in life, returned to his scrub brush. He was deep in thought about today's events and the old photo that was burning a figurative hole into his trouser pockets. His head abruptly connected with the bricks he was cleaning as Dudley shove him from behind. "OW! Sunava..."

"Oops! Did that sting a bit, Scarhead? Sorry, NOT!" Dudley snorted a chuckle, obviously pleased with his own cleverness.

"Leave off, ya git.." Harry mumbled, hoping neither of the adults heard, his words lost in the ashes. His hands were now black with soot. "I'll have to scrub the shower too, when I am through." he mused.

"Dudders, let's go. You can have a sip of some wine tonight if you finish your salad." Petunia cooed. "Oh, by the way, Vernon, your sister Marge phoned today. She will be visiting in late July." The door shut and the conversation carried out to the car.

Harry let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding. Aunt Petunia inadvertently saved him this evening by dragging the others out. All he had to do was finish his chores and he'd be left alone in the quiet of the house for a few hours. He relished the quiet. And a whole can of soup for supper all his own! This was as close to freedom as he could get in this house. Soon the hearth was gleaming, and Harry had steam himself raw in the shower.

The soup was warmed up in the micro, so as not to set the house on fire, and he'd snatched a stale piece of bread that had been left on the kitchen counter from breakfast to sop up the broth. He sat at the table, which was a foreign feeling having not been allowed to when his family was around. Uncle Vernon's newspaper sat opened to a page somewhere in the middle of the issue on the table next to him. A mugshot of a manic looking fellow with long stringy hair stared back at him. Harry's skin crawled. There was no name of the supposed criminal escapee that had been motioned a few passing times on the evening news, but he was presumed armed, dangerous and probably mental by the reports. He'd bet 5 galleons this man was not a muggle crazy escapee. A shiver went up his spine as the last of his meal was sipped from a chipped mug.

The boy washed the mug and the pieces from the tea service from earlier; he would have to wash them later anyway, and his thoughts returned to the encounter from before. His worse fears confirmed in that his Aunt and Uncle simply did not love him with the admission of Dumbledore's blood money. Ha! Thought Harry. Blood money to keep me inside the blood wards. How damned depressing. Yet, he felt like a weight was lifted from his chest. With the realization that the Dursleys would never see him as anything other than a burden Harry no longer had to hold on to false hope that someday they would feel different. He thought of the rough young woman, his cousin, Rosalie. She had looked hurt with aunt petunias continued contempt and yet, she seemed kind and interested in Harry himself. The thought still strange but not an unpleasant one. He smiled to himself as he ascended the stairs to Dudley's second bedroom.

"I wonder if I'll ever see her again." the words said out loud to no one.

Opening the door to the bedroom, he was startled to see Hedwig back indoors early. The only good thing this summer had been that Vernon allowed the bird to go off and hunt so as to not heard her infernal hooting and screeching. The window bars had been removed before Harry's return from Hogwarts. A cool early summer breeze blew to shift the broken vinyl blinds of the window. Hedwig Coo'd at the teen in admiration, accepted a fond pat on the head and presented him with an outstretched leg. Harry untied the crumpled note, curious as to who would send him his own owl. It was written with muggle blue ink. Odd.

'Harry,

I hope this owl finds you. All I want to say is that I am here if you need me. All you have to do is ask.

Write me, Please! With all my love,

Rosalie Novack

147 Stony Bottom Lane

Shiremoor, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE27

p.s. Please keep the picture.

His face hurt from smiling so big. He barely noticed the the tear streaking hotly down his face until it splattered on the crumpled sheet. "with all my love" It was everything he'd ever wanted to hear. Could he really hope that someone cared?

Harry grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen he had stashed when Vernon wasn't looking. He quickly wrote a note to test the waters, afraid a sudden bombardment of questions would chase Rosalie away. He sent it off with Hedwig and crawled into bed a feeling of contentment for the first time since leaving Hogwarts express at the end of term.